Press release October 2002

An exciting competition was hosted by Surrey Border Film & Video Makers for their October meeting. Clubs from as far away as the Isle of Wight brought along their best films in an effort to win a prestigious award. The hall was packed and the atmosphere was electric as supporters assembled for combat. Each team handed over a tape of their prized filmmaking efforts to experienced video judge Ron Clements. The lights went down for the first film of the evening which was from Circle 8, a Guildford based club. Its entry, a film called ‘Don’t Forget the Diver’, was brilliantly narrated from an excellent, very tightly written script. The sound effects seemed just right and so very natural. The subject matter concerned a heroic effort back at the start of the last century when the foundations of Winchester Cathedral were reinforced by the astounding efforts of one single diver. It took him six years to complete and he was working almost entirely by feel the whole time. The end highlight of the film was the revelation that the cathedral had commemorated the diver with a statue which was of the wrong man! Following the revelations in the film, the cathedral have now made amends. Once all the films had been shown the judge gave comments on each and awarded this film first prize.

The film entry by the Isle of Wight club was a science fiction called ‘Another Hot Day’. It was based in the future and was rather Orwellian in its prediction of a society 50 years hence which was heavily over populated, polluted and with overtones of ‘big brother’ and ‘the state knows best’. The visual effects were stunning with the television of the future providing holographic images dancing on the table in front of the viewer. A visit to the doctor turned out to be a visit to a computer driven hologram. The film was ingeniously thought out and involved a great deal of special effects which are only possible with use of today's sophisticated computer editing techniques. Laughs rippled through the audience who were enthusiastic with their applause.

Basingstoke Camcorder Users brought along a beautifully produced video of Historic Alresford. Sad to say, it didn’t win the prize although it seemed of a truly professional standard, well up to those we see on the BBC. The shots were particularly well framed with a brilliant picture quality enhanced by the club's new projector.

After a refreshment break with an appetizing array of food the Surrey Border club showed the premiere of the film it had just made for Sailability, a charity formed to help disabled people gain freedom and enjoyment in specially adapted boats on Frensham Ponds. It was made as part of the club’s ongoing contribution to the community.